The border agency has changed the rules of the points based system which could reduce the number of IT workers in the UK on Intra Company Transfers (ICTs).

ICTs are allegedly being abused by overseas IT suppliers. According to data obtained by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies from the Home Office under the Freedom of Information Act, 35,430 non-EU IT workers came to work in the UK last year. This compared to 12,726 during the dotcom boom in 2000.

One rule change states that a worker must have worked for the company involved for at least 12 months, compared to six months previously. This will tighten up alleged abuses.

The government has also introduced a graduate scheme for "new graduates who need to come to the UK as part of a structured training programme." This is limited to three months and only five are permitted per company, which will not be open to abuse.

The border agency said the skills transfer should not however be used as a means of replacing UK staff.

Jeremy Oppenheim national lead for temporary migration at the UK Border Agency, said: "Our tough Points Based System gives us an unprecedented level of control over those who wish to come to the UK to work and study, and prevents migrants coming to take UK-based jobs where local labour is available.

"The UK Border Agency has no control over a company's commercial decision to outsource their operations. Furthermore we do not accept that enabling a temporary transfer of workers to the UK would be conclusive in any such decision."

But Mark Lewis, lawyer at Berwin Leighton Paisner said the skills transfer could be open to potential abuse unless the rules are properly enforced. "The government says that it should not be used to displace UK staff but this makes it easier."